Ch 12: Soft Tissue Injuries Flashcards
Closed Wound
A wound in which soft tissue damage damage occurs beneath the skin and the skin is not broken
General Care for a Closed Wound
- Apply an ice or a cold pack, covered with cloth to protect the skin
- Apply this cold for 20 minutes every hour until the pain is relieved.
-Patient complains of severe pain or trauma caused by great force, seek advanced medical care.
Contusion
Bruise
Crush Injury
A crushing force is applied causing fractures and organ damage with the skin still intact
Compartment Syndrome
When pressure builds up to dangerous levels within the muscles and blocks circulation to the cells. Occurs in muscle groups covered by tough membranes that do not readily expand.
Signs and Symptoms of Compartment Syndrome
- Pain intensely out of proportion to the injury
- Tingling or burning in the muscle
- Muscle may feel tight or full
- The area becomes numb or paralyzed
Care for Compartment Syndrome
- Obtain advanced medical care
- Monitor vitals and distal circulation
Blast Injuries
When pressure waves generated by an explosion strike the body surface.
Injuries from:
- The blast itself
- Shrapnel
- Trauma from being thrown
- Injuries or illnesses caused by hazardous material
Myocardial Contusion
Heart muscle bruising after blunt force to the chest
Subungual Hematoma
A collection of blood under the nail bed
Care for Subungual Hematoma
- Wear proper PPE as blood may spatter
- Clean the area
- Ensure patients hand is on firm surface
- Use a nail drill to create a small hole in the middle of the blood pocket.
- If no nail drill, heat the end of a paperclip until red hot and use it to create a hole.
- Procedure should be painless
- If releasing the blood does not stop the pain, suspect a fracture.
- The hole may require reopening
- Clean the injured area and apply a dressing
Open Wounds
Injuries that break the skin
Care for Open Wounds
- With a gloved hand, control bleeding using direct pressure
- Continue direct pressure by applying a pressure bandage
- Obtain more advanced medical care
- Wash your hands immediately after completing care even though you wore gloves.
Abrasion
Skin that has been rubbed or scraped away.
Care for an Abrasion
- Clean the wound as debris may be embedded
- Rinse under water for 5 minutes
- Control bleeding
- Apply sterile dressing and bandage
Laceration
A cut. Can be caused by a sharp object or when blunt forces split the skin.
Care for a Laceration
Deep lacerations may effect the layers of fat and muscle and bleed fairly freely.
- Clean the wound and rinse for 5
- Control bleeding
- Apply sterile dressing and bandage
Avulsion
An injury in which a portion of the skin and other soft tissues is partially or completely torn away. A portion may hang like a flap.
Care for an Avulsion
- Clean and disinfect wound and rinse for 5
- Put any hanging flaps back down into position
- Control bleeding
- Apply sterile dressing and bandage
Amputation
A complete severing of a body part
Care for Amputations
- Clean and disinfect wound and rinse for 5
- Control bleeding
- Apply sterile dressing and bandage
- Locate amputated part
- Keep amputated part in sanitary container, wrapped in gauze and kept cool
Puncture
An injury caused by the skin being pierced with a pointed object.
ie: Needle sticks, bullet wound
Impaled Object
An object that remains in the open wound
Abscess
A localized collection of pus within tissues
Care for Abscesses
- Cleanse the area
- Drain the abscess using a hot compress until the skin bursts
- Continue to cleanse intermittently with antibacterial solution
- Do not squeeze as it will spread the infection deeper
- If the abscess involves the face, neck, groin or buttocks or is very painful, seek further medical attention.
Infection
When bacteria have entered the system.
Signs and Symptoms of Infection
- Wound area becomes swollen and red
- Area may feel warm or throb with pain
- Pus discharge
- Red streaks toward heart
- Fever
Care for Infection
- Cleanse the area thoroughly
- Do not use alcohol
- Rinse the wound under running water for five minutes
- Apply an antibiotic ointment
- Control any bleeding
- Severe infection or spreading infection seek advanced medical care
Tetanus
A serious infection caused by the bacterium Clostridium Tetani, found in soil and animal feces.